The Literary Sandwich: A List and a Quest

Last week, a menu made the rounds in our office from a restaurant specializing in author-themed sandwiches, such as the Hemingway (filet mignon on a toasted bun with steak fries) and the Henry Miller (hot pastrami and melted Swiss, served only after noon). The restaurant in question is, alas, in California, but the menu left our collective stomach rumbling, and we determined to create our own, if slightly more fanciful, list of literary fare. As always, we’d love to hear your suggestions below.

The Balzac: a hundred Ostend oysters, twelve Pre-Sale mutton cutlets, a duckling with turnips, a brace of roast partridges, a sole Normand, without counting hors d’oeuvres, entremets, fifteen kinds of fish, and a pyramid of fruit, served on French bread with a side of black coffee.

The Catcher in the Rye: meatloaf and ketchup on rye bread.

S’more and Peace: marshmallow, melted chocolate, and an olive branch between graham crackers.

The Miss Lonelyhearts: one slice of plain white bread with heart of palm.

The George Perec: ham on a roll with mustard: hold the cheese, pickle, ketchup or anything else with an “e” in it.

Webster’s Dictionary: two or more slices of bread or the like with a layer of meat, fish, cheese, etc., between each pair.

The Nora Roberts: all cheese.

The Dave Eggers: a broken, runny egg on staggeringly thick bread; served with a guide to its enjoyment.

The Thomas Pynchon: no one really knows.

Lady Cheddarley’s Lover: a controversial abundance of melted cheddar and several unprintable ingredients.